ISl 



the following notes : — Mr. Otley was naturally shy, which he attributed 

 to his living so long in the country. But he was of a quiet, reserved turn. 

 He was a reader, a thinker, and a listener, rather than a talker; but, at 

 the conclusion of a conversation, he used to give his opinion in such a 

 manner as to show that he had grasped the whole matter. Mr. Otley 

 was, however, quite fond of society, and especially of some of the ladies 

 of his acquaintance. He would go to a pic-nic to have tea with a large 

 party of friends, and gaily bring the hostess on his arm into the ring 

 where the cloth was spread on the green. He used to go every year to 

 visit his native place, and stay there two or three weeks. He said it was 

 not much holiday, for all the watches far and near came in from friends 

 for his manipulation. 



The earliest letter that I have seen in Otley's hand-writing, is one 

 written on July lo, 1812, to Dr. Dalton, the world-famed chemist. I will 

 give you some quotations from it, as it at once shows his habit of careful 

 observation, and love of accuracy of detail : — 



Thinking it might be acceptable to you to have some account of my excur- 

 sion to Great Gavel, I have taken the liberty of sending you the following 

 particulars. Thirty-seven minutes after parting, I saw you upon the high ground 

 about the level of one of the Langdale Pikes, you were then turning to the right. 

 Without meeting any difficulty, I arrived on the top of Gavel about a quarter 

 past eleven, and was agreeably surprised to find there a triangular cavity in the 

 rock of about two feet the longest side, and containing about two gallons of clean 

 well-tasted water, of the temperature of 71°, the air ranging from 63° to 66° out of 

 the sun ; the deepest part of the water did not exceed four inches ; its surface was 

 about two inches below the brim of the cavity, and I could not perceive any 

 running in or out. I lowered it about a quarter of an inch by drinking, and did 

 not find it to rise again. There is a little earth in the interstices of the rock, but 

 I think there is not more of it above the level of the well than might be carried in 

 a wheelbarrow. 



The summit of Gavel is something like Scawfell but more pointed, of irregular 

 broken rock. There is not an area of more than eight or ten square yards above 

 the level of the well, and the highest point of rock is only two feet above the 

 surface of the water. 



I remained on the top two hours and a half, and though the clouds frequently 

 varied their shapes and permitted me to view different objects, I was rather 



